1. Do Antibacterial Products Really Kill?

2. Question Will Germ-X really kill 99.99% of germs on hands, as claimed in their advertisements? Will Germ-X really kill 99.99% of germs on hands, as claimed in their advertisements? Will antibacterial soap 99.99% of germs? Will antibacterial soap 99.99% of germs? Will antibacterial wipes kill 99.99% of germs? Will antibacterial wipes kill 99.99% of germs?

3. Research Helpful information from my research: “Germ-X contains 62 % alcohol, and does kill 99.99% of the viruses that make you sick.” “Germ-X contains 62 % alcohol, and does kill 99.99% of the viruses that make you sick.” My research indicates antibacterial soap is just as effective at killing bacteria as regular soap. My research also indicates the antibacterial wipes (depending on the brand) are only effective on one bacteria type.

4. Materials 10 unprepared Petri dishes. Auger 5 prepared Petri dishes Sanitized Q-tips Germ-X Antibacterial soap Antibacterial wipes A warm and dark place for the Petri dishes, which will allow the bacteria to grow.

5. Procedures with the 10 unprepared Petri dishes Using a “Sharpie”, I split the Petri dishes in half. Using a “Sharpie”, I split the Petri dishes in half. I made a control sample of no germ contamination. I made a control sample of no germ contamination. I “contaminated” the Petri dishes by rubbing sanitized Q-tips over designated surfaces, and then wiping the Q-tips onto the Petri dishes. I “contaminated” the Petri dishes by rubbing sanitized Q-tips over designated surfaces, and then wiping the Q-tips onto the Petri dishes. Designated Surfaces: My brother’s hands The door knob The TV remote control I allowed the contaminated Petri dishes to grow for one week. I documented (using a camera) the bacterial growth after one week, and then again after two weeks. Note: After 2 weeks, the bacterial growth was too advanced to differentiate the various germ colonies. At this point, I started my experiment over. Note: After 2 weeks, the bacterial growth was too advanced to differentiate the various germ colonies. At this point, I started my experiment over.

6. Procedures with the 5 prepared dishes Using a “Sharpie”, I split the Petri dishes into thirds. Using a “Sharpie”, I split the Petri dishes into thirds. I made a control sample of each of the following: no germ contamination, Germ-X, antibacterial soap, and antibacterial wipes. I made a control sample of each of the following: no germ contamination, Germ-X, antibacterial soap, and antibacterial wipes. I “contaminated” the Petri dishes by rubbing sanitized Q-tips over designated surfaces, and then wiping the Q-tips onto the Petri dishes. I “contaminated” the Petri dishes by rubbing sanitized Q-tips over designated surfaces, and then wiping the Q-tips onto the Petri dishes. Designated Surfaces: Designated Surfaces: My brother’s hands My brother’s hands The door knob The door knob The TV remote control The TV remote control I allowed the contaminated Petri dishes to grow for one week. I allowed the contaminated Petri dishes to grow for one week. I documented (using a camera) the bacterial growth after three days, one week, and ten days. I documented (using a camera) the bacterial growth after three days, one week, and ten days.

7. Data The data proved my hypothesis. The control groups (no germ killing treatment) showed significant and disgusting bacterial growth. The Germ-X groups showed none, or very small bacterial growth. The antibacterial soap groups showed slightly more bacterial growth than the Germ-X groups. The antibacterial wipe groups had several small colonies of bacterial growth.

8. Conclusion If you use Germ-X then you can be confident about having killed the bacteria on your hands. If you wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap, you can be fairly confident that you have killed most of the bacteria on your hands. If you use anti-bacterial wipes, you can be reasonably sure you have killed most, but not all of the bacteria on your hands.

9. Interesting Facts Most wipes actually spread bacteria (disinfectant or not) Germ-X is associated with the Red Cross. Telephone buttons and play ground equipment have more germs than fast food restaurant bathrooms.

10. References The medical news metrostlouis.orgwebmd.com